Typewriting machine



Dec, 18,1923. 3,478,235

. A. G. F. KUROWSKI TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

-40 70 3 7/ (WM BY ATTO EY.

Dec. 18, m3. 4 nmazss I A. G. F. KUROWSKI TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1920 2 shwba sheet a IN V EN TOR.

By W

A TTOR Patented Dec. 18, E923.

entree stares titans Parent errata.

ALFRED G. F. KUROWSKI, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T UNDERWOOD TYIEWRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWR-ITING IIIACHINE.

Application filed October 5,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, ALFRED G. F. KUROW- em, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn Borough, in the county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates mainly to the class of portable typewriting machines, and is shifted positions, as fully described in the patent to William A. Dobson, No. 1,335,- 956, granted April 6, 1920. In thispatent, the case is supported in each of its three positions upon a support at each end, thus. making a two-polnt support.

One feature of the present invention is the provision of a four-point support for each position of the case, to hold the carriage more rigidly, and assist to a great extent in the proper alignment of the type.

It is also aimed to accomplish the above result with a minimum of change in structure as disclosed in the Dobson patent referred to above, and by simple and inexpensive mechanism. In the Dobson patent, the case-shift frame normally rests upon a support in the base of a bracket fixed to the machine, one at each'end thereof. The present invention provides for an additional support upon a bracket at each endnear the rear of the shiftable case. The Dobson patent provides a stop on a bail for limiting the movement of the caseshift mechanism when the first shift-key (usually the capital key) is depressed. This invention contemplates the use of an additional bail upon which is mounted an additional sup port, the bails being connected by a link to move in unison. For the second shift position Dobson provides a stop on the upper end of the bracket mentioned above as supporting the mechanism in its normal position. An additional extension is mounted upon the same bracket in the present,

invention and provides a second support for the case in its second shifted position. Two supports are thus provided at each end of the machine for each position of the case-shift mechanism, i. e., a four-point supframe of the machine.

1920. Serial No. 414,731.

parts of the machine except the case-shift mechanism having been removed. The case is in its normal position, the shifted positions of the platen being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1,

showing the parts inthe first shift posi tion, certain parts shown in Figure 1 having been removed.

F igure3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the parts in the second shift position.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the machine with most of the parts removed, leaving sub stantially the case-shift mechanism.

The frame of the machine is shown at 10, and has mounted therein character-keys (not shown) which operate type-bars 11 carrying type-blocks 12 provided with three sets of types-for printing in the three positions of the platen, as indicated in Figure l. The platen 13 is journaled in the carriage 14 carrying wheels 15 and 16 for movement on tracks 17 and 18 respectively. The tracks 17 and 18 are located at the rear of and form part of the shift-frame 19, which includes downwardly-extending member 20 and forwardly-extending member 21. This frame is pivoted at 22 to a link 23 which is in turn pivoted to the fixed frame of the machine at 24 on a level somewhat below the pivot 22 but almost directly to the rear thereof. The shift-frame is pivoted also upon a pivot-pin 26 fixed to, an arm 2? rigidly mounted upon rock-shaft 30 extending transversely of the machine and journaled in the frame thereof. Also by screws 38 to a cross-piece 37 fixed in the Near the end of the floor portion there is provided a set-screw 40 having a locking nut 41 upon which rests a flange 42 of the shift-frame 191 In addition, there is provided a bracket 45 at the rear of the machine, a set screw 46 passing therethrough and having 'a locking nut 47.

The rear of the frame restsupon-thesetscrew 46. There are thus two pointspf support at the end of the machine'bei'ng described, two similar supports being pro-;

vided at the other end, making a four-point support for the normal position 'of the shift-v frame. It will be evident that, as; the result of the manner; of controlling the shiftframe'l9 by the links-23and arms 27-and of the positioning-0f the carriage -l l' on the rear of the shift-frame 19, the-downwardpressure of the shift-frame will-be exertedat the rear of vthe machine. Obviously set screws 46 at the'rear of the machine arewell located for supportingithe shift-frame,-

and it should-beunderstood that the setscrews are located far enough toward the front oft-he machine, sothat-the prin-" cipal downward pressure of the shift frame. 19 will be directed between the front and rear set-screws or supports 40 andl6,- re-' spectively, thereby insuring the firm posi tioning: of the platen-13 when the shiftframe 19 is in its lower-case position."

For lifting the shift-frame, to its-first shifted position, which, in the type of' :ma

chine described, is the position for print ing capitals, there is provided a shifti-key 50 ,fulcrumed ona. shaft mounted in a bracket 52 fixedon a transverse bar 54 attached to the machine, said'shaft compris ing a screwhavingiat one'end a head 53 and a nut 51 at the other end; A'rearward em tension 55101 the shiftkey50 lodges b'eneaththe-elbow 32 of 'the rock-arm 31.,

Figure 2 shows the case shifted to its-- first shift position. V The shift-key=50 has been depressed, thus elevating extension 55 of the key-lever, and forcing the rock-arm- 31 upward. Arm 27, and hencepivot-pin 26, willalso be rocked upwardly, thus elevating frame, 19 :which rests upon pivot 26. Frame 19 will continue to rise until flanges and 61- onthelframe strike the set-screws 62 and 68, respectively. The set-screws are provided with looking nuts 64 and 65; and

aremounted in the flanged ends-66and 67 0f the uprights 68 :and69, respectively, which uprights are the upturned ends-fofi bails 70 and 71 extendingtransversely of the machine and pivoted in the frameof the machine at 72 and 7 3, respectively,

' to fix the second-shift position of the 'mecha- 1) flanges 61 and 60 on said frame are brought into, engagement with the respective setscrews or stops 63 and 62 onthe bails, the shift-frame 19 will be held firmly in posi-' tion.

Figure 3 shows the case in; the second under side i of the elbow-32 of the rock arin' 31. The latter arm'movesupward, rotating arm-27, pivot- 26, andshift-frame 19 up: wardl y,- as; in the first' shift position; Since it is necessary t-OylfilSQt-htt shift-frame a greater degree than in the first'shift posi tion, the stops '62 and= 63- must: be removed from the' path of'motion of flanges 60 and I 61 on:the -frame-19.' This is accomplished by attaching a -bracket -83-to bail 71, the bracket having; an upper curved portion 8 1 resting on -lug1-85 {ion 5 the rearward exten sion 81*of shift-keyhl A spring 86 tendsto maintain thebail 71, andhence stops- 62 "amt-63 in'efl'ective position. Upon depressing theshift-key 80, extension 81, and hence lug 85, are swungupward, thecurved porti0n:;8t;-(and hence-the bracket itself) be-' ingzswung -in a clockwise direction. Since the bracket 83 is rigidly attached to bail 71, the :latter is also rotated, thus swing flange- 61. Bail 71isconnected by: a link .82 with wail--70; so thatbbthbail's, and

hence bothset-screws orst op's, Laremoved out of-the path 'iOf motion ofthe flanges 60 and 61. Otherstops-are' provided to limit the motion of thev case-shift mechanism when key 80:,is' depressed. These stops con-- ingstop 62 30111; of theapath of motion of sist of two'armsI-87' and 88, of thebracket 35 which also -supports stop 40-.- In the flanged ends- 89;-and- 90 of the arms 87 and 88 are mountedset-screws 91 and 92 having the usual lock-nuts 93 and 94,: andserving nism when-key, 8O isdepressedby engag When the shift-frame 19 is lifted from its normal positionto its first shift position, as

shown in Figure 2, it tendsgto turner-rock about the pivot-pins 26. shown inlFi l. ure 2, however, thebails 70fand 71, respeca tively, are positioned at the rear and front of the pivot-pins 26, so that when the ing the flange 42 -on theshift-frame."

As. a result-0f the control of "the shiftframe-19 by} the long links 23-and1the arms 27, the shift-frame 19 will, in itsmove-' ment' to its-second shiftposition, be given a movement in which it is thrownupward to a greater extent at the rear than at 'the 4 front, 'andit should-be understood that the set-screwsor' stops 91 and 92 ar-e suitably positioned to check this tendency. and to hold the shift-frame firmlyeagainst rocking while in its thirdshift position.

It isusual to provide springs (not shown in this instancel to draw keys 50" and 80 up.-

ward. Thegrearward extensions of the keys we are provided with depending fingers 97 and 98 (Figure 2) which abut against the fixed bar 54; to limit such upward movement.

It will be understood that with the exception of the keys 50 and and their extensions 55 and 81 and the rock-arm 31, all the mechanism is duplicated at the other end of the machine, so that in the normal position of the machine there are stops 4:0 and 46 at each end of the machine, making a fourpoint support. Similarly in the first shifted position, there are stops 62 and 63 at both ends of each bail, one on either side of the machine, making four points of contact with the case-shift mechanism in the first shifted position. Set-screws 91 and 92 form two stops at each end of the machine, thus also giving four points of contact with the case shift mechanism in the second shifted position.

Variations may be resorted to within the struction and arrangement being such that the downward pressure of the shift-frame will be directed between the front and rear stops, thereby insurin a firm, stable support for the platen and shlft-frame in lower-case position.

2. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a traveling platen-carriage, a shift-frame on which the platen-carriage is supported, a stationary stop at each side of the machine to support the rear of the shiftframe, a second stationary stop at each side of the machine to engage and support the adjacent side of the shift-frame and spaced to the front from the corresponding stop for the rear of the shift-frame, the construction and arrangement being such that the downward pressure of the shift-frame will be directed between the front and rear stops, whereby a firm, stable support for the platen and shift-frame in lower-case position is provided, and means for individually adjusting said front and rear stops to locate them to be engaged simultaneously by the shift-frame when the latter drops to lowercase position.

3. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a platen-carriage, a shiftframe on which said platen-carriage is supported, said shift-frame including side frames, shift-frame-lifting means pivotally connected with the side frames of the shif frame at points in alignment transversely of the machine, and two stops to engage each side frame to limit the upward movement of the shift-frame and positioned to engage the side frame at points to the front and rear of the corresponding pivotal connection, so as to hold the shiftframe firmly in position when shifted.

4. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a platen-carriage, a shiftframe on which said platen-carriage is supported, said shift-frame including side frames,means for shifting said shift-frame to two difierent positions, comprising two aligned pivots engaging the side frames of the shift-frame, two stops to engage each side frame to limit the movement of the shift-frame and positioned to engage the side frame at points to the front and rear of the corresponding pivot, so as to hold the shift-frame firmly in one of said positions when shifted, and means whereby said stops may be shifted out of the path of the side frames of the shift-frame, thereby permitting the shif -frame to be given a further movement to the other of said positions.

5. In a typewriting machine, in combina tion, a platen, a platen-carriage, a shiftframe on which said platen-carriage is supported, said shift-frame including side frames, means for lifting said shiftframe to two difi'erent positions, comprising two aligned pivot-pins engaging the side frames of the shift-frame, two stops to engage each side frame to limit the upward movement of the shift-frame and positioned to engage the side frame at points to the front and rear of the correspondin pin, so as to hold the shift-frame firmly in position when shifted to the first raised position, means whereby said stops may be shifted out of the path of the side frames of the shiftframe, thereby permitting the shift-frame to be given a further movement to a second raised position for typing in another case, and two stops for each of the side frames of the shift-frame to determine accurately the uppermost position of the shift-frame and to assist in holding the latter firmly in such position.

6. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, case-shift mechanism for shifting said platen from its normal position to different shift positions, said case-shift mechanism comprising a shift-frame having side frames, and shifting means having pivotal connections with each of the side frames, an upright pivoted bail at the front of the pivotal connections, and having means for engaging said side frames when the shiftframe is moved to the corresponding shift position, and a second upright pivoted bail to the rear of said pivotal connections, and

having means to engage said side frames and to co-operate With the frame-engaglng means on thefirst-mentioned bail, to hold the side frames against further movement.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination With a case-shift mechanism having a normal and tWo shifted positions, and comprising a shift-frame having a shiftplate at each end, each of said shiftaplates being provided With a plurality of flanges, of a shift-key for actuating said mechanism to the first shifted position, a second shiftkey for actuating said mechanism to the second shifted position, means connecting said mechanism and said shift-keys whereby operation of said keys actuates said mechanism to the shifted positions, a plurality of bails having flanged upstanding end portions at each end of the machine, means passing through said end portions and engaging certain of the flanges on the shiftplates to limit the movement of the caseshift mechanism when the first shift 'key is operated, a link connecting the bails so that all the bails will operate in unison, brackets fixed to the machine and provided With upstanding members having flanged ends, means passing through said ends andengaging certain other of the flanges on the shiftplates to limit the movement of the caseshift mechanism When the second shift-key is operated, a flange on said second shiftkey, and a lever fixed at one end to one bail and having its other end resting on said lastnamed flange, so that operation of the second shift-key rotates the lever on the bail to move all the interlinked bails and their limframes, an upright pivoted bail at the front of the pivotal connections, and having means for engaging saidside frames when the shift-frame is moved to the corresponding shift position, a second upright "pivoted bail to the rear of said pivotal connections, and having means to engage said side frames and to co-ope'rate With the engaging means on the first-mentioned bail to -hold the side frames against further movement, and a link connecting said bails to cause them to move simultaneously.

9. In a typevvritingmachine,'the' combina "tion With a case-shift mechanism having a normal and tWo shifted positions and comprising a shift-framehavingashifteplate at each end, said shift-plates being provided with a plurality of flanges, of shift-keys for shifting said mechanism to first and second shiftedpositions, brackets fixed to saidmachine at each end near the rear thereofand having flanged end portions, second brackets fixed to the machine at each end and for 'vvardly of said first brackets and having flanged end portions, means passing through the end porti'ons'of said first and second brackets for-supporting the mechanism in its normal position, a plurality of bails pivoted to the machine and provided with up standing portions having flanged ends,v

means passing through said ends and adapted to engagecertain of the flangeson the shift-plates for limiting the movement of the mechanism in its first shifted'position when the first shift-key is operated, upstanding members on said second brackets having flanged ends, and means passmg through said last-named ends and adapted to engage certain other flanges on the shift plates, to limit the movement of the-mechanis m When the second shift key is operated,

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a case-shift-mechanism having a normal and two shifted positions and comprising a shiftframe having a shift-plate at each end, said shift-plates being provided With a plurality of flanges of shift-keys for its normal positionfa'plurality of, bails pivoted to the'machine'and provided With upstanding portions having flanged ends,

means passing through said ends and adapted to engage certain of the flanges 'on the shift-plates for limiting the movement of the mechanism in its first shifted position when the first shift-key is operated, upstanding members on said second brackets having flanged ends, means passing through said last-named ends and adapted to engage cer- *tain other flanges on theshi'ft plate to limit the movement of the mechanism when the second shift-key is operated, and means operated by said second shift-key for rendering the limiting means on the upstanding ends of the bails ineffective when said mechanism is shifted to its second shifted position by said second shift-key.

11.1113, typeWriting machine, the com 'bination With a' case-shift mechanism having a normal and tivo shifted pOSltlDllS and comprising a shift-frameliaving a shiftplate at each end, said shift-plates being provided with a plurality of flanges, of

shift-keys forshifting' said mechanism to first-and second shifted positions, brackets fixed to said machine at each end near the lllii rear thereof and having flanged end portions, second brackets fixed to the machine at each end and forwardly of said first brackets and having flanged end portions, means passing through the end portions of said first and second brackets for supportthe mechanism in its normal position, a plurality of bails pivoted to the machine and provided with upstanding portions having flanged ends, means passing through said ends and adapted to engage certain of the flanges on the shift-plates for limiting the movement of the mechanism in its first shifted position when the first shift-key is operated, link connecting the bails so that all the bails will operate in unison, npstand ing members on said second brackets having flanged ends, means passing through said East-named ends and adapted to en age certain other flanges on the shift-plate 0 limit the movement of the mechanism n the second shift-key is operated, a ng normally holding the bails in posiso that the limiting means will engage flanges of the shift-plates upon move ment of the case-shift mechanism, a flange on said second shift-key, a lever fixed at one end to one bail and having its other end resting on said last-named flange, so that operation of the second shift-key rotates the lever on the bail to move said interlinked bails and their limiting means out of the path of the flanges on the shiftplates.

12. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, case-shift mechanism for shifting said platen from its normalposition to different shift positions, said caseshift mechanism comprising a shift-frame having side frames, and shifting means having pivotal connections with each of the side frames, an upright pivoted bail at the front of the pivotal connections, and hav ing means for engaging said side frames when the shift-frame is moved to the corresponding shift position, a second upright pivoted bail to the rear of said pivotal conections, and having means to engage said side frames and to co-operate with the engaging means on the first-mentioned bail to hold the side frames against further movement, and means to shift said bails to ineffective position, said last-mentioned means comprising a shift-lever for efiecting a movement of the shift-frame further than the position determined by said bails, a link connecting said bails, and an arm on one of said bails to be engaged and actuated by said shift-lever.

13. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, case-shift mechanism for shifting said platen from its normal position to different shift positions, said caseshift mechanism comprising a shift-frame having side frames, and shifting means having pivotal connections with each of the side frames, an upri ht pivoted bail at the front of the pivotal connections, and having a stop to engage each side frame when the shift-frame is moved to the corresponding shift position, a second upright pivoted bail to the rear of said pivotal connections, and having a stop to engage each side frame and to co-operate with the stop on the firstmentioned bail to hold the side frames against further movement, a shift-key to actuate said shifting means to shift said shift-frame to a shift positioncorrespond ing to the position of the stops on said bails, a second shift-key to actuate said shifting means to shift the shift-frame to a shift position beyond that determined by the stops on said bails, and means whereby actuation of the second shift-key will cause both of said bails to be shifted to ineffective position.

14. In a typewriting machine, in combi nation, a platen, case-shift mechanism for shifting said platen from its normal posiion to different shift positions, said caseshift mechanism comprising a shift-frame having side frames, and shifting means having pivotal connections with each of the side frames, an upright pivoted bail at the front of the pivotal connections, and having a stop to engage each side frame when the shift-frame is moved to the corresponding shift position, a second upright pivoted bail to the rear of said pivotal connections, and having a stop to engage each side frame and to co-operate with the stop on the firstmentioned bail to hold the side frames against further movement, a shift-key to actuate said shifting means to shift said shift-frame to a shift position corresponding to the position of the stops on said bails, a second shift-key to actuate said shifting means to shift the shift-frame to a shift position beyond that determined by the stops on said bails, and means whereby actuation of the second shift-key will cause both of said bails to be shifted to ineffective position, said last-mentioned means comprising an arm on one of said bails to be actuated by said second shift-key.

ALFRED G. F. KUROVSKI.

Witnesses:

EDITH B. LIBBEY,

CATHERINE A. NnwELL. 

